About two years ago, after a lifetime of running, aerobics, yoga, tennis, and everything else you can think of to keep fit, I found myself suddenly limping, in a lot of pain, and losing my quality of life. When I went to my (male) family doctor, he told me to get a hip replacement. He said it just like that: “time for a hip replacement.”
No discussion of the risks, none of the fact that there’s a long recovery, nothing about the perils of general anaesthesia. It may as well have been “replace the spark plugs.”
I’m not a fan of unquestioned medical advice, and my mother “sundowned” after general anaesthesia for diverticulitis surgery and never recovered, tipping over into Alzheimer’s disease and a terrible slow decline. So I tried it all: acupuncture, physical therapy. yoga, stretching, Celebrex — whatever.
Nothing worked. My joint was bone on bone. But I also have back problems, which I had always controlled through yoga, and I knew a lot about alignment. After all, the “hip bone’s connected to the thigh bone, the thigh bone’s connected to the knee bone,” and they are all connected to the spine.
So I sought a surgeon who could help me with the hip replacement while not destroying the subtle alignment I had created in my back through yoga. The first guy I saw was so gruff that I walked out of his office. The second, a doctor in Tucson who does the minimally invasive surgery, admitted that he knew nothing about backs, and allowed as how my back wasn’t important, because after all this was my hip!
Finally I was referred to a female hip surgeon. And naturally, she listened to me and planned with me. She knew damned well that my back would be a problem, and she told me flat out that she couldn’t do minimally invasive surgery and guarantee my back would be okay after because she had to see inside the joint to position the new hip properly.
I trusted her, and we went through the surgery together, but it still wasn’t easy. Especially the recovery, about which no one is honest. If they told you it would be at least six months before you felt like a normal human being, you wouldn’t do it, so they stress the fact that you are up on your feet the same day. That’s not the same as being able to walk two golden retrievers on leashes. Also, the hospital itself is dangerous: nursing shortages, staph infections, complications, and all the psychological issues.
I had no one to talk to about these, and very little from the patient’s perspective to read. So I kept a blog here. I documented my fears, my opinions of surgeon and hospital, and my ups and downs during the recovery.
Please read it, share it, and recommend it to other people contemplating hip replacement. If we share enough stories, we will get good medical care. If we keep it to ourselves, we will literally suffer in silence.
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Add a Comment50 Comments
Hello, I am 52 years old and like most of you have been very active most of my life...martial art (I have a black belt) cycling and for the past 4 years I was doing yoga 5 to 6 days a week...One year ago while I was trainning to become a yoga teacher I started having pain in my left leg and was diagnosed with severe osteoarthristis in my left hip. I will be gatting a total hip replacement next month and I have to admit that I am very scared. I am scard that I will not be able to be active again...All I want is to be able to go to work on my bike and do my yoga. Can anyone give me some hope.
July 25, 2011 - 2:45pmThis Comment
Hi,
July 25, 2011 - 3:58pmBroke my hip at the age of 12, and never thought yoga was an option for me. Finally took my first class 12 years ago, and have had a steady (well, almost) practice ever since, except....two years ago, my hip started clicking and it became painful to walk distances. I opted for a hip replacement, which went well, but 30 days after, I had a stress fracture which required another surgery with a metal plate, wires, etc. It was heartbreaking, to say the least, because I didn't know if I'd be able to practice again, to the degree that I was. I am happy to report that today,my practice is the deepest and most solid that it's ever been. I have a gratitude on my mat that was missing before all of this, and I really believe that to be the key. Don't take it for granted, and try not to go into your practice with expectations. Breath, and let it happen. Good luck to you. I don't think you have anything to be afraid of. You're body will remember.
Nancy
This Comment
Hello Nancy, Thank you so much for taking the time to sahre your story. It really helps to hear stories like yours. Yes gratitude is very important. I am still practicing right now but it is very painful but I know that it will help me in my recovery. I really appreciate your comment about my body remembering. I do belief that our body do remember and that's why we recover quicker when we do have a practice before the operation. Thank you about telling me that I don't have to worry..
Peace and light to you
July 25, 2011 - 6:23pmGinette
This Comment
A nice account of your experience however you lose credibility when you reveal your sexism against men "Finally I was referred to a female hip surgeon. And naturally, she listened to me and planned with me". The doctor patient relationship is a constructive two way thing involving unprejudiced communication. You play your part and take some responsibility for the unsuccessful ones.
March 8, 2011 - 8:49amThis Comment
Please see this link, the story of a guy thats been running on his THR for 10 years now!!!http://www.mhrrc.org/kopacs_corner/information/200302_hip_runner.html
December 20, 2010 - 7:41pmThis Comment
I have done yoga for 30 years and had a total hip replacement 12 months ago, my bad hip afected my back and knee, after surgery it took 6 months for my knee to ajust, and my back hurts and is very stiff even now, I have not done any yoga myself, I teach it. I hear so many people saying it can pop out, my surgen said not to bend over 45deg I need my other hip done in 12 months and I am glad I have no pain, and I take pleasure in my students.
July 22, 2010 - 3:26amOne day I will pluck up the courage and have a go.
This Comment
I just got back from my first Bikram class after my bilateral hip replacements. It was wonderful to be back. Besides feeling the calm, clarity and energy that Bikram always gives me, the class also sent some interesting messages about how my hips are recovering. My left hip and leg (the first surgery) were both much stronger, but the right hip and leg were much more flexible. I went slow and easy, never moving past a point of resistance. I really feel the benefits of good blood circulation as a result of the class. One result of both surgeries was a patch of badly broken capillaries on the backs of my legs at the place that the stems of the implants end. These patches are barely visible tonight. I'm a bit worried about the risk of dislocation, but will make sure I follow my precautions. I would really love to hear from people who have gone back to (or started) a yoga practice after hip replacement surgery. Francine, I've read your blog so many times I've almost memorized it -- the experiences you shared, especially the advice from your yoga teacher, have been invaluable to me.
May 13, 2010 - 6:53pmThis Comment
Hello rjj718,
I love hearing stories like yours...I am about to get my left hip replace and I am still practicing yoga about 5 to 6 days a week. I practice Mokha yoga an dIyenkar. Mokha is another form of hot yoga. I simply love it and boy does it keep you in shape...I know that my keeping in shape will help me recover much quickly. I'm also very careful about what I eat. That too is very important in kepping the body strong and keeping the immune system strong...That is essential to be able to recover...Thank you for sharing your story but yes it does take some effort to getr back into shape...
Ginette
July 30, 2011 - 8:34amThis Comment
Will you let us know how you like the Bikram class? It's nice to hear that you're recovering well.
May 13, 2010 - 6:23pmThis Comment
I'd say absolutely no running! Why wear out that new joint? There are great endorphin rushes to be gotten from yoga (in my opinion). I did Bikram yoga for years to manage my pain and push back my bilteral THRs as long as possible. I'm convinced that my experiences in Bikram helped me to recover from the surgeries really quickly. I had the left hip done 9.17.10 and the right on 12.17.10. With the first one, I was driving in less than 2 weeks. With the second one, I drove in less than a week. With both I was back to work (at home) within a few days, and back in the office half days within 2 weeks. I did all the physical therapy I was told to do, and started a very easy yoga routine (from Easy Gentle Yoga routines and Yoga for Recovery by Sam Dworkis), then worked my way into the Five Tibetans. I go back to my first Bikram class tonight. I'd say that my recovery from the surgery was very fast, but that learning to how to live with two new hips has been a slow, ongoing process. But I have no problem with that -- it certainly beats the way I lived before, with constant, grinding pain. Good luck!
May 13, 2010 - 12:52pmThis Comment